Material feeding and doubling device



Sept. 6, 1960 D. N. JUDELSON 2,951,459

MATERIAL FEEDING AND DOUBLING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1956 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DAV/D M JUDELSO/V Sept. 6, 1960 MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1956 D. N. JUDELSON 2,951,459

FEEDING AND DOUBLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Av'rbeuey DA V/D 2v, auoaLso/y United States Patent MATERIAL FEEDING AND DOUBLING DEVICE David N. Judelsou, 415 w. 23rd St, New York, N.Y. Filed Apr. 2, 19 56, Ser. No. 575,441

12 Claims. 01. 112 20s The present invention relates to automatic mechanisms for forming a length of material into a continuous seamed tube or sleeve, and in particular to a material feed and doubling device for folding a length of material about a longitudinal median line with its opposite side edges in substantial registry and oriented for delivery to a stitching unit. This is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 502,620 of April 20, 1955, now Patent No. 2,900,934 dated August 25, 1959.

In the manufacture of bias-cut materials, and for other .material-handling applications, sewing units are known which join two superposed layers of folded fabric along and spaced inwardly from the coextensive side edges by a line of switching; some units incorporate appropriate folding and turning mechanisms which separate the margins of the fabric outwardly of the line of stitching and fold the margins back upon the body of the tube. The details of improved seaming and margin-turning apparatus may be found in my copending application Serial No. 467,933 filed November 10, 1954, now Patent No. 2,753,823, dated July 10, 1956.

Although material-doubling units are known for use with stitching and turning apparatus, such units merely make provision for delivering the fabric or material in folded condition to the stitching apparatus. Some improved units have been devised to assure folding of the fabric exactly in half so that the opposite side edges substantially coincide. However, known doubling devices are not constructed to compensate for variations in location of the material supplied to the doubling unit and/ or variations in the width of the material being fed through the doubling unit.

For example, in the manufacture of bias cut material which is ultimately used for binding tapes or the like,

the supply of material comes in roll form or in flat folds.

In feed of such materials, from the roll or from the flat fold, the relative location of the material in relation to the doubling mechanisms changes from time to time. Upon examination of a roll of material, the possibility of shifting of the supply in relation to the doubling mechanisms will be appreciated when it is seen that edge registration throughout the radial extent of the roll often is poor. As the position of one edge, nominally designated as the reference edge, changes in relation to the doubling mechanism, there will be a corresponding change in the location of the doubled length of material in relation to the stitching apparatus. This lateral shifting of the doubled material relative to the stitching apparatus either results in excessive trimming of margins and attendant material Waste, or improper functioning of the stitching devices. A further complication introduced internally of the doubling mechanism, is brought about by Width variations of the material throughout its length as a result of standard mill operations.

To obviate these and other difficulties, copending application Serial No. 502,620 illustrates a doubling unit, in combination with a sewing and seam-opening appa- 2,951,459 Patented Sept. 6, 1960 "ice ratus, which is capable of receiving the material either in roll form or in flat folds, and delivers the material in an oriented position to the sewing and seam-opening apparatus. Under most conditions, the doubling unit serves admirably, despite variations in the location of the material supply in relation to doubling unit, and variations in the width of the material throughout its length. The illustrative material-doubling device of said copending application includes a doubling frame which is mounted for side to side adjustment in relation to its support and to its material supply. By adjustment of the doubling frame, the material may be longitudinally folded in half, with the folded over side edge in substantial registry with the reference side edge. A sensing device is arranged along the path of travel of the reference side edge for tracking deviations of the reference side edge beyond established limits from an oriented position, the sensing device being arranged to shift the material supply such as to restore the reference side edge to within the established limits. Additionally, a further sensing device is arranged along the path of travel of the folded over side edge for tracking deviations of the folded over side edge beyond established limits from the oriented position, the further sensing device being arranged to adjust the lateral position of the doubling frame to attain substantially perfect registration between the folded over edge and the reference side edge. Thus, with variation in location of the supply of material and/or variations in the width of the material, adjustments are made to deliver the folded over material in prescribed orientation to the stitching apparatus;

Although the described arrangement of the parent application has been found to be exceptionally useful, especially as compared to prior art devices, some diffi culty is experienced when the material exhibits marked changes in width. For sudden changes in width, which take the form of necking down and widening out of the goods, sensing of width variations when the edge is folded over is frequently too late to translate into correction of the location of the doubling frame. Additionally, monitoring of the folded over side edge and lateral shifting of the doubling frame as a function of the position of the folded over side edge, sometimes results in wrinkling of the material during its passage through the doubling frame or the introduction of some measure of distortion.

In accordance with the present invention, a sensing device is arranged in advance of the doubling frame for tracking successive positions of the side edge of the material which is to be ultimately folded over; and

provision is made for laterally adjusting the sensing.

side edge which is to be folded over, the doubling frame I is shifted in proper proportion to fold'the material in half. The speed of linear feed of the material through the doubling unit and the lateral movement of the doubling unit are correlated so that the deviations which are being tracked by the sensing device are translated into shifting of the doubling frame as successive portions of the material arrive at the doubling frame. By this arrangement, the most pronounced changes in width may be sensed and properly translated into adjustment of the doubling frame.

.The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be bestunderstood by reference to the following description of a presently preferred, but illustrative embodi- 3 ment, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. ,1 is a plan view, of a, doubling mechanism embodying features of the present invention which is to be disposed in advance of seam-forming and opening apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the doubling mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the doubling mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view schematically showing the 1 doubling mechanism in its position relative to the seam forming and opening apparatus; and,

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view in plan, showing the schematic circuit for the control system of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown at the right of Fig. 5 part of a combined stitching, folding, pressing and Windup unit for joining two superposed layers of folded fabric or material M along one side by a line of stitching to form a continuous tube, as disclosed in mentioned copending application Serial No. 467,933, filed November 10, 1954. Although the doubling apparatus to be described is found to be particularly useful with the tube-forming apparatus of said copendling application, it is to be expressly understood that the doubling unit finds application with other tube-forming mechanisms, for example as shown in US. Patent No. 1,549,484 of August 11, 1925. The illustrative tubeforming apparatus, generally designated by the reference numeral 10 forms the seam at one side of the material M which has superposed layers or runs M M folded centrally about the fold line f. The apparatus includes a seam-forming and opening station 12 and a pretensioning and feeding means 14 arranged in advance of the station 12. Windup and pulling mechanisms 16, follow the seam-forming and opening station 12 for Windup of the material in roll form. The sewing mechanisms at the station 12 are conventional and include a needle 18 and an oscillating trimmer 20. The sewing mechanisms, usually of the lock stitch type, provide the stitch line or seam at a location inwardly from the superposed side edge of the material; while the oscillating trimmer 20 cuts off the margins at a fixed distance from the seam,

usually of the order of a spacing of seconds to /is of an inch. The thus formed marginal portions ultimately are folded over upon the adjacent layers of the tubular body by turning mechanisms 22 which include provision for ironing down the margins in folded back condition.

The pretensioning and feeding system 14 in advance of the stitching station 12, conjointly with the take up or winding mechanism 16, maintain uniform tension in the width and length of the material M during passage through the station 12. The pretensioning and feeding system 14 includes a number of tensioning bars 24 arranged to define a sinuous path in advance of the station 12. For further detailed description of the tube-forming apparatus, reference may be made to copending application S.N. 467,933.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a material feeding and doubling device generally designated by the reference numeral 30 which includes a base or frame having uprights or side members 32, 34. Mounted on the base or support is a doubling frame 36 which includes an idler roller 38 in advance of and parallel to the pretensioning bars, a doubling member 40 in the form of a fiat bar parallel to and spaced from the idler roller 38, and angularly disposed doubling bars or members 42, 44. The doubling bar or member 40 includes an end 40a terminating along the longitudinal center line of the doubling frame 36 at which terminal end the doubling bars 42, 44 meet at an apex. Such dqllblin'g frame is broadly known to the art, and as seen in Fig. 5, the material M is wrapped around the idler roller 38, doubled back beneath the frame 36, and wrapped around the material turning edge provided by the doubling bar 40 in the one half section M; and a further portion of the material is wrapped around the material-turning edges of the angular doubling bars 42, 44 which turn the other half section M of the material into superposed relation relative to the unturned half section M For a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent, the side edge S of the unturned half section M will be referred to as the reference side edge, while the side edge S of the turned half section M will be referred to as the folded over side edge.

The doubling frame 36 further includes a doubling member or bar 46 having a material-turning edge lying substantially along the longitudinal center line or axisof symmetry of the doubling frame, the members 46 being supported by an arm 48 mounted on the doubling frame proper. The doubling member 46 is preferably fabricated of springy material and serves as a fold former and exerts an outward biasing effect on the material along the fold line 7. As seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the doubling member 46 and its supporting arm 48 are disposed below the plane of the angular doubling bars 42, 44 such that as the material emerges about the material-turning edge of the doubling bar 42 and over the doubling bar 40 the same may be extended on opposite sides of the doubling member 46 which then lies within the fold f.

The entire doubling frame 36 including the parts 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 as well as the idler rollers 38 are mounted for side to side adjustment on a cross beam or bar 54 which extends throughout the width of the doubling frame 36. The beam 54 carries a pair of depending brackets or slide blocks 50, 52 which ride on a fixed track 56 forming part of the frame of the machine. The depending brackets 50, 52 serve as trolleys and as seen in Fig. 4 are of generally inverted U-shaped cross section. The brackets 50, 52 may be provided with appropriate rolling or other bearing contacts so that the doubling frame 36 may be readily adjusted from side to side to lie in successive positions. Although the doubling frame is illustrated as extending horizontally, it will be appreciated that for ease of threading it may be desirable to tilt the doubling frame so that its apex 40a is somewhat elevated.

In order to elfect side to side adjustment of the doubling frame 36, there is provided an actuating mechanism including both an automatic control and a manual control. In the illustrative embodiment, the actuating means includes a rack 82 which is fixed to the bracket 50 and extends for a substantial extent across the machine in a position parallel to the beam 54. Meshing with the rack 82 is a small diameter pinion 88 which is carried on a shaft 64 extending at right angles to the rack 82 and journaled intermediate its ends on a depending bearing 67 which is supported from the frame of the machine. On its forward end the shaft 64 carries a hand wheel 66, while on its rearward end the shaft carries a gear 68 which is adapted to mesh with a gear 70 forming a part of a driving mechanism 72. As seen in Fig. 4, the driving mechanism 72 for efiective sidewise adjustment of the doubling frame 36 includes a geared-head reversible motor 74 connected through a reduction unit 76 to an output shaft 78 carrying the gear 70. Normally the gears 68, 70 are in meshing engagement as a result of the biasing effect exerted by a spring 81 which encircles the shaft 64, intermediate the bearing or bracket 66 and the gear 68. However in the illustrative positions of Figs. 1 and 4, the gears 68 and 70 are out of mesh, as when the operator grasps the hand wheel 66 and displaces the same to the left in Fig. 4 to allow for manual adjustment of the doubling frame from side to side. In this connection, it is to be noted that the small diameter pinion 88 is of a suificient width to provide a driving connection between the shaft 64 and the rack 82 when the gears 68, 70 are out of mesh or when the gears are in meshing engagement for drive from the motor 74. The driving chain includes the reduction unit 76, the output shaft 78, the meshing gears 68, 70, the shaft 64, and the pinion racks 88, 82.

Arranged along the path of travel of the edge S which is ultimately to be turned over is a sensing device, generally designated by the reference numeral 80, which provides respective control signals to the motor 74 of the reversible drive of the doubling frame 36. The sensing device is mounted to track side to side variations in the location of the edge S through provision of a cross bar 58 which is fixed at one end to the sensing device 80 and is guided intermediate its ends in a bearing support or way 84. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2 the support 84 is mounted on a bracket affixed to the frame and slidably mounts the cross bar 58 for side to side adjustment along a path parallel to the track 56. Secured to or integral with the cross bar 58 is a rack portion which is protected by the cover 60 and overlies the shaft 64 and is in meshing engagement with the larger diameter driving pinion 62 afiixed to the shaft 64. The gearing ratio between the rack 58 and pinion 62 (for laterally adjusting the sensing device 80) and the gearing ratio between the rack 82 and the pinion 88 (for adjusting the doubling frame) are selected to provide a drive of two to one; that is, for each increment of adjustment of the sensing device 80 in relation to the edge S which is to be folded over, the doubling frame is adjusted by one half the increment. For example, if the material becomes wider by a quarter of an inch in relation to its normal location, then the driving mechanism 72, which is under control of the sensing device 80 is displaced outwardly a quarter of an inch. However, the doubling frame 36 is only shifted outwardly an eighth of an inch in that the aditional one quarter inch of Width in the material must be divided equally between the respective half sections M M The sensing device 80 is disposed along the path of travel of the edge S for sensing deviations of the edge (which ultimately is to be folded over) to effect both adjustment of thedoubling frame and of the sensing device. The sensing device functions to track successive positions of the edge S and translates the successive indications into correction of the position of the doubling frame to accurately fold the goods in half. The sensing device 80 includes a pair of switches 90, 92 which contact the edge S of the material M. The switch 90, as seen in Fig. 6 is normally open and closes in response to increases in the width of the material; while the switch 92 is normally closed and is maintained in open position by contact with the edge S When the goods is within a permissible tolerance range in relation to the normal or prescribed path, both switches 90, 92 are open; as the goods becomes wider, the normally-open switch 90 is closed; and as the goods becomes narrower the held-open switch 92 is allowed to be restored to its normally closed position.

A specific wiring arrangement suitable for interconnection of the micro switches 90, 92 with the reversible motor 74, is illustrated in Fig. 6; however is to be expressly understood that a latitude of variation is intended in the sensing means and in the associated drive for laterally shifting both the sensing device 80 and the doubling frame 36 as a function of the lateral position of the edge S of the material. In the form illustrated, the motor 74 is seen to include a ground connection 74g, a first energizing connection 741 for shifting the doubling frame and the sensing device to the left in Fig. 1 in response to narrowing of the material, and a further energizing connection lead 741- for shifting the sensing device and thedoubling frame to the right in Fig. l in response to the increases in the width of the material.

The lead 74g is connected to one side 94 of the input line, while the terminals 90a, 92a of the switches are were connected to the other side 96 ofthe line. Thus response to closing of the switch 90, an appropriate circuit is completed for driving the reversible motor 74 in a direction to shift the sensing device and the doubling frame 36 to the right (see Figs. 1 and 2); and in response to closing of the switch 92, an appropriate circuit is completed for the motor 74 to shift the sensing device and the doubling frame to the left (in Figs. -1 and 2) Arranged adjacent the rear end of the doubling frame (that is the upper end as illustrated in Fig. 1) is a material-supporting or feeding means which is mounted and controlled to be automatically shifted tomaintain the reference edge S along a prescribed reference line as the material passes through the doubling unit 30.- By maintaining the edge S at a fixed lateral location relative to the sewing unit, and by always bringing the folded over edge S into registry with, the edge 8;, the material is always fed to the unit 10 (see Fig. 5) at the same lateral location. Accordingly, despite random variations in width and in orientation of the supply of goods per: fect operation of the sewing unit may be anticipated. The material-supporting means specifically illustrated can be seen best in Figs. 1 and 4 and includes a core shaft 102 carrying fixed and adjustable chucks 104, 106. The core shaft is rotatable and slidably supported on the uprights 32, 34 of the frame by loosely journaled rolling contacts pairs 108, and 112, 114. The ma terial supply illustrated as being the roll R, is placed between the fixed and adjustable chucks 104, 106 the material being removed in the showing of Figs. 1 and 2 for the sake of clarity. The material is supported between the-chucks by merely removing the chuck 106 and lifting the adjacent end of the core shaft to a position wherein the roll R may be inserted on the shaft. The core shaft 102 is free to rotate on the respective pairs of rolling contacts 108, 110 and 112, 114 and is laterally adjusted under control of mechanisms to be now described to bring the left edge S of the material (see Fig. 1) into substantial coincidence with a prescribed reference line in relation to the stitching unit 10.

Actuating mechanisms are provided for displacing the core shaft of bar 102 from side to side such that the material being fed to the doubler remains along the reference line or edge S The actuating mechanisms include a round rack 116 which meshes with a pinion 1 18 carried on a shaft 120 journaled by means of bearings 124, 126 on the upright 32. The driving arrangement, which is best illustrated in Fig. 3 includes a gearedhead motor 128 connected via a reduction unit 130 to a drive gear 132 which meshes with a driven gear 134 on the shaft 120. The motor 128 is of the reversible type and is controlled by a sensing device 136 which is mounted at a fixed position relative to the desired reference line or edge S The sensing device 136, as seen best in Fig. 4, is mounted along the path which the edge S is to traverse and at one side of a tensioning unit 138 including several tensioning bars 140. The tensioning unit 138 is journaled for rotation about its axis to exert varying holdback effect on the material which is seen to pass from the roll R about an idler roller 142 and between the tensioning bars 140. The location of the tensioning bars 140 relative to the natural path of the material is selected in accordance with operational requirements; and the tensioning unit may be locked in ass-134a;

ranged to shift the doubling frame to the right (see Figs. land 2) as the goods widens out and deviates to the left of the prescribed reference location S The lead .1281 is connected in circuit with the normally-closed switch 152 and is arranged to correct the location of the doubling frame to the left as the reference edge deviates to the right from the prescribed location S In that the sensing device 136 operates in substantially the same manner as the device 30 except that it is fixed in location, further description will be dispensed with.

Tensioning springs 168, 170 are arranged to lie against the roll R to exert a hold back effect. When fiat folded material is being used to supply the doubler, the material is put on a stand at a location behind the doubler and passed between the chucks 104, 106 or other similar collars which serve to guide the goods in relation to the doubling mechanisms. In the latter circumstances, shifting of the core bar 102 will effect adjustment of the material in relation to the doubling mechanisms.

A typical sequence of operation will now be described in detail to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention:

The goods in roll form R is initially supported on the core bar 102 and oriented to bring the left edge S along the prescribed reference line. Thereafter the goods is threaded through the material doubling mechanism or frame 36. The thread path, seen best in Figs. 4 and 5, includes passing the goods over the idler roller 142, through the tensioning bars 140, about the idler roller 138 and thereafter through the doubling frame. The adjustment wheel 66 is pulled outwardly as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 to effect manual adjustment of the sensing device 82 to a position wherein the microswitches 90, 92 lie against the side edge S which edge is ultimately folded over. With this adjustment the doubling frame assumes a position wherein the apex 40a lies halfway between the edges S S and will operate to fold the material exactly in half. Upon release of the wheel 66, spring 81 restores the gears 68, 70 into meshing engagement. The material is manually pulled through the doubler and fed through the tube forming-apparatus 10, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The machine is placed in operation and thereafter the respective sensing devices track both side edges S S and make appropriate adjustments in the mechanisms of the doubler to achieve the folding and the orientation of the folded materials in relation to the sewing unit 10.

Assuming for example that the material widens out such that the microswitch 90 of the sensing device 80 along the path of travel of the edge S is closed incident to deviation of the edge S to the right in Figs. 1 and 6, the energization circuit for the motor 74 is completed via the first energization connection 741 for shifting the doubling frame 36 and the sensing device 80 to the left in Figs. 1 and 6. The doubling frame 36 is adjusted to the left by one-half of the increment of adjustment of the sensing device 80 until such time as the switch 90 is restored to its open condition.

In the event that the goods narrow down such that the switch 92 which senses deviation of the edge S to the left in Figs.1 and 6 is closed, then an energization is completed for the motor 74 via the lead 74r to engage the drive 74 for the sensing device 80 and the doubling frame 36 to shift the sensing device and doubling frame to the right in the amount sufiicient to restore the switch 92 to its open condition, with the doubling frame 36 moving one-half of the increment of adjustment of the sensing device.

In a somewhat similar fashion the sensing device 136 which is arranged to sense deviations of the side edge S is effective to shift the core shaft 102 for the roll R of material to maintain the side edge S along a prescribed and fixed path of travel through the machine. Specifically, when the material M widens out such that the side edge S deviates towards the left in Figs. 1 and 6, the switch 150 closes to complete an energization circuit for the reversible motor 128 via the lead 128r which is effective to energize .the motor 128 and to turn the drive shaft thereof in a direction appropriate to displace the core shaft 102 to the right until such time as the switch 150 opens which thereupon deenergizes the motor. At such time as the material M narrows down such that the side edge S deviates towards the right in Figs. 1 and 6, the switch.152 is closed which in turn completes an energization circuit via the lead 1281 for the motor 128 and turns the drive shaft thereof in a direction appropriate to displace the core shaft 102 toward the left, thereby shifting the roll of material R until the side edge S is in a position wherein the switch 152 is restored to its opened condition. It will thus be appreciated that the sensing devices 80, 136, are operable to sense deviations of the respective side edges S S of the roll of material M such that the material is being constantly monitored during its passage through the machine, with appropriate shifting of the sensing device and the doubling frame 36 in the prescribed ratio and the further shifting of the core shaft 102 as indicated by the respective sensing devices 80, 136.

In a typical unit the reversible motors '74, 128 are of a speed to shift the doubler frame approximately of an inch in fifteen seconds. The sensing unit is arranged approximately two yards in front of the doubling frame along the feed path. Accordingly, for a pulling rate of about 8 yards per minute, variations of the order of A1 of an ich in width may be sensed along edge S and within approximately 15 seconds translated into a lateral adjustment of the doubling frame of A of an inch to compensate for the change in Width at the doubling frame.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a range of modifications, omissions and additions will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art; in certain instances some features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What I claim is:

1. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitch path for forming a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of said material comprising material-doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line to fold over one side edge into substantial registry with the otherside edge, said means including a support, a doubling frame for folding said material about said median line, means on said support and operatively connected to and mounting said doubling frame for side to side adjustment whereby said one side of said material may be brought into registry with said other side edge, sensing means along the path of travel of said one side edge in advance of said doubling frame and movably mounted on said support for tracking successive positions of said one side edge, and means operatively connected to said doubling frame and operative under control of said sensing means for adjusting said doubling frame in response to variations in position of said one side edge.

2. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitching path for forming a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having first and second side edges arranged along a reference line, material-doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line, said means including a laterally-shiftable doubling frame, material-supporting means arranged for side to side adjustment, first sensing means along said reference line and along the path of travel of said first side edge for tracking deviations of said first side edge from said reference line, means operatively connected to said material-supporting means and under control of said first sensing means for effectingside to side adjustment of said material supporting means, second sensing means 9 disposed along the path of travel of said second side edge in advance of said material-doubling means for tracking deviations of said second side edge, means mounting said second sensing means for side to side adjustment, and

means operatively connected to said doubling frame and to said second sensing means and responsive to said second sensing means tracking deviations of said second side edge for effecting side to side adjustment of said doubling frame and said second sensing means.

3. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitch path for forming and opening a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of said material comprising material-doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line to fold over one side edge into substantial registry with the other side edge, said means including a support, a doubling frame for folding said material about said median line, means on said support and operatively connected to and mounting said doubling frame for side to side adjustment whereby said one side of said material may be brought into registry with said other side edge, sensing means along the path of travel of said one side edge in advance of said doubling frame for tracking successive positions of said one side edge, means mounting said sensing means for side to side adjustment, said sensing means being arranged to provide respective signals indicating deviations of said one side edge in either direction from said path of travel, a reversible drive controlled by the respective signals of said sensing means, and individual coupling means from said reversible drive to the mounting means for said doubling frame and to the mounting means for said sensing means, the individual coupling means being arranged to shift said sensing means and said doubling frame in the ratio of two to one.

4. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitching path for forming a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having first and second side edges arranged along a reference line, a material-doubling frame for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line, means mounting said doubling frame for lateral shifting, material-supporting means arranged for side to side adjustment, first sensing means along said reference line and the path of travel of said first side edge for tracking deviations of said first side edge from said reference line, means operatively connected to said material-supporting means and under control of said first sensing means for effecting side to side adjustment of said material-supporting means to bring said first side edge into coincidence with said reference line, second sensing means disposed along the path of travel of said second side edge in advance of said doubling frame for tracking deviations of said second side edge, means mounting said second sensing means for side to side adjustment, and means operatively connected to said doubling frame and to said second sensing means and responsive to said second sensing means for effecting side to side adjustment of said doubling frame and said second sensing means in the ratio of one to two whereby said first and second side edge, after folding, substantially coincide with each other and with said reference line.

5. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitching path for forming a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having edges adapted to be arranged along a reference line, material-doubling means including a laterally-shiftable doubling frame, material-supporting means arranged for side to side adjustment, first sensing means arranged along said reference line for tracking deviations of one side edge from said reference line, adjusting means operatively connected to said material-supporting means and under control of said first sensing means for effecting side to side adjustment of said material-supporting means, second sensing means disposed along the path of travel it) of the other side edge for tracking deviations of said other side edge, means mounting said second sensing means for side to side adjustment relative to said path of travel, and means operatively connected to said doubling frame and to said second sensing means and responsive to said second sensing means for effecting side to side adjustment of said doubling frame and said second sensing means in a prescribed ratio.

6. In combination,laterally-shiftable feed means for material, laterally-shiftable doubling means including a doubling frame for folding said material about a longi-' tudinal median line with the opposite side edges in sub! stantial registry and along a reference line, first sensing means arranged along the path of travel of one side edge of said material in advance of said doubling frame for sensing deviations of said one side edge from said reference line, second sensing means arranged along the path of travel of the other side edge of said material in advance of said doubling frame for sensing deviations of said other side edge, means responsive to said first sensing means for laterally shifting said feed means, and means responsive to said second sensing means for laterally shifting said doubling frame.

7. For use with a sewing machine including a needle operative along a stitching path to form a scam in a folded length of material spaced inwardly of the side edges thereof, doubling means including a doubling frame for delivering said material to said sewing machine folded about a longitudinal median line with the folded over side edge in substantial registry with the first side edge of the material and along a reference line which is fixed in relation to said stitching path, means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling means for side to side adjustment, sensing means arranged along the path of travel of said folded over side edge 'of said material, means operatively connected to and mounting said sensing means for side to side adjustment, and means responsive to said sensing means for laterally shifting said doubling frame and said sensing means in the ratio of one to two whereby, as said sensing means follows said other side edge, said doubling frame is shifted in the proper proportion to fold said material in half.

8. For use with a sewing machine including a needle operative along a stitching path to form a seam in a folded length of material spaced inwardly of the side edges thereof, feed means for said material, means operatively connected to and mounting said feed means for side to side adjustment, doubling means including a doubling frame for delivering said material to said sewing machine folded about a longitudinal median line with the opposite side edges in substantial registry and along a reference line which is fixed in relation to said stitching path, means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling means for side to side adjustment, first sensing means arranged along the path of travel of one side edge of said material in advance of said doubling frame for sensing deviations of said one side edge from said reference line, second sensing means arranged along the path of travel of the other side edge of said material, means operatively connected to and mounting said second sensing means for side to side adjustment, means responsive to said first sensing means for laterally shifting said feed means, and means responsive to said second sensing means for laterally shifting said doubling frame and said second sensing means in the ratio of one to two whereby, as said second sensing means follows said other side edge, said doubling frame is shifted in the proper proportion to fold said material in half.

9. For use with-a sewing machine including a needle operative along a stitching path to form a scam in a folded length of material spaced inwardly of the side edges thereof, a feed roller for said material, means operatively connected to and mounting said feed roller for side to side adjustment, doubling means including a doubling frame for delivering said material to said sewing a 11 machine folded about a longitudinal median line with the opposite side edges in substantial registry and along a reference line which is fixed in relation to said stitching path, rack and pinion means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling means for side to side adjustment, first sensing means arranged along the path of travel of 'one side edge of said material in advance of said doubling frame for sensing deviations of said one side edge from said reference line, second sensing means arranged along the path of travel, of the other side edge of said material, rack and pinion means operatively connected to and mounting said second sensing meansfor side to side adjustment for sensing deviations of said other side edge, means responsive to said first sensing means for laterally shifting said feed roller, and means responsive to said second sensing means and operatively connected to the respective rack and pinion means for laterally shifting said doubling frame and said second sensing means in the ratio of one to two whereby, as said second sensing means follows said other side edge, said doubling frame is shifted in the proper proportion to foldsaid material in half.

' 10. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitch path for forming and opening a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having a reference side edge and a folded over edge, said device including material-doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line, said material-doubling means including alaterally shiftable doubling frame for folding said material about said median line and means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling frame for lateral shifting movement, laterally shiftable sensing means along the path of travel of the side edge to be folded over and arranged in advance of said doubling frame for tracking successive positions of said side edge, means operatively connected to and mounting said sensing means for lateral shifting movement, and means operative- 1y connected to said doubling frame and to said sensing means and operative under control of said sensing means for laterally adjusting said doubling frame and said sensing means.

11. A combined material feeding and doubling device for use with means operating along a stitch path for forming and opening a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having a reference side edge and a folded over edge, said device including material-doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line, said material-doubling means including a laterally shiftable doubling frame for folding said material about said median line, means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling frame for lateral shifting movement, laterally shiftable sensing means along the path of travel of the side edge to be folded over and arranged in advance of said doubling frame for tracking'successive" positions of said side edge, means operatively connected to and mounting said sensing means for lateral shifting movement, and drive means operatively connected to saiddoubling frame and to said sensing means and operative under control of said sensing means for laterally adjusting said doubling frame and said sensing means, said drive means being arranged to adjust said doubling frame and said sensing means in the ratio of one to-two whereby, as said sensing means follows the side edge to be folded over, said doubling frame is shifted in the proper proportion to fold said material in half.

i 12. A combined material feeding anddoubling device for use with means operating along a stitch path for forming and opening a stitched seam at one side of a folded length of material having a reference side edge and a folded over edge, said device including laterally shiftable feed means, means operatively connected to and mounting said feed means for lateral shifting movement, material doubling means for folding said material longitudinally in half about a longitudinal median line, said materialdoubling means including a laterally shiftable doubling frame for folding said material about said median line, means operatively connected to and mounting said doubling frame for lateral shifting movement, laterally shiftable sensing means along the path of travel of the side edge to be folded over and arranged in advance of said doublingframe for tracking successive positions of said side edge, means operatively connected to and mounting said sensing means for lateral shifting movement, means operatively connected to said doubling frame and to said sensing means and operative under control of said sensing means for laterally adjusting said doubling frame and said sensing means, further sensing means along the path of travel of the other side edge and arranged in advance of said doubling frame for tracking successive posi- 'tions of said other side edge, and means operatively connected to said feed means and operative under control of said further sensing means for laterally adjusting said feed means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,906 7 Hopkins June 13, 1916 1,799,132 Gardner Mar. 31, 1931 2,290,123 Wilfong July 14, 1942 2,346,765 Kratz Apr. 18, 1944 2,534,686 Strauss et a1 Dec. 19, 1950 2,570,695 Levine 'Oct. 9, 1951 2,590,699 Heyer Mar. 25, 1952 2,619,057 Ellis Nov. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 410,859 Great Britain May 28, 1934 m aw 

